Alcohol-Induced Ovarian Failure in the Rat

Abstract

The effect of ethanol feeding on ovarian function and structure in female rats was studied in alcohol-fed animals, isocalorically fed controls, and two ad libitum-fed control groups. Ovarian weight was reduced by 60% in alcohol-fed animals compared with the control groups. Gross disruption of ovarian architecture was noted, characterized by the absence of any corpus hemorrhagicum and corpus albicans. Moreover, plasma levels of estradiol were significantly reduced in the alcohol-fed animals (P < 0.01) compared with the levels found in isocaloric controls. Plasma levels of estrone and corticosterone were increased in alcoholfed and isocaloric control animals relative to those of ad libitum-fed animals suggesting a primarily adrenal, rather than ovarian, origin for these two steroids. Despite the increase in estrone, the secondary sex organs (uterus and fallopian tubes) reflected marked estrogen deprivation presumably as a result of estradiol insufficiency. Progesterone levels in the alcohol-fed animals were significantly less than levels in the isocaloric and intact ad libitum-fed controls but were not significantly different compared to oophorectomized animals. Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone levels were similar in alcohol-fed, isocaloric controls, and ad libitum-intact controls. They were, however, one-third the level of oophorectomized controls. Both alcohol-fed and isocaloric controls had increased levels of plasma luteinizing hormone, although levels were below those seen in oophorectomized controls (P < 0.01). The results establish that ingestion of a diet containing 5% ethanol for periods as short as 6 wk produces functional and histologic ovarian failure in the female rat.